Akshay Kumar film Gold is more about nationalism than sports

Akshay Kumar returns with a dose of hyper-nationalism, presented in the form of a sports drama.

Lakshana N Palat

New Delhi

August 10, 2018

UPDATED:
August 10, 2018 19:35 IST

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Akshay Kumar in Gold

A decade ago, Chak De, starring Shah Rukh Khan, released. It was an invaluable success and it became an incentive for filmmakers to explore the world of sports further. However since then, sports biopics and dramas have decided to insert politics in the narrative.

So, the pinnacle of success in many of the films would be the victory over Pakistan. Sports dramas like Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Dangal, Mary Kom and Sultan all display the nation's glory in an international context, wrapped up in personal stories. Invariably, there's the display and unfurling of the national flag and the customary salute. And there are lots of tears, to show national pride.

So what's the end result? The focus shifts from the sporting spirit and you're compelled to learn about the seething animosity with the neighbouring country.
Akshay Kumar's Gold seems to take it a step ahead. Though we have only seen the trailer, it's easy to see which way the patriotic winds are blowing in the film.

WHAT IS GOLD ABOUT?

Gold traces the "golden era" of Indian hockey through the journey of Tapan Das, a young assistant manager in 1936, who dreams of playing for independent India.

Inspired by true events, Gold is about India's first Olympic Games win as a free country in hockey. And so, Akshay returns with a dose of hyper-nationalism, presented in the form of a sports drama.

US VS THEM

Of late, Akshay Kumar has been called the poster-boy of patriotism. He has evolved into the perfect Indian with films starting from 2015's Baby to 2016's Rustom, 2017's Toilet: Ek Prem Katha and this year's Pad Man. These films helped take the Centre's messages forward; for instance, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in Toilet Ek Prem Katha.

He takes it a step further in Gold. While there's no denying that India's first Olympic Games win as a free country is a tale that deserves to be told, the hyper-nationalism in the trailer can't be ignored.

It becomes more about defeating the British in their own country, rather than a milestone achievement for India.

Akshay spouts dialogues like, "Our team will defeat the British in London, and we will avenge our 200 years of subjugation."

Here's another one. "We will unfurl our own flag, and we won't say 'Long Live the King, we'll sing our own national anthem'. The trailer ends with him bellowing Vande Mataram."

Or this. "We will defeat them on their land, on their home turf and in front of their own public."

In between all this nationalist talk and chest-thumping, you get to see a little bit of hockey, amidst some thumping music. Enough said.

Gold follows in Bollywood's latest spate of films of playing it safe and proving patriotism. And you can never go wrong if you slam our past colonisers and our neighbouring country.

The nuances of Chak De and layered characters like hockey coach Kabir Khan are a thing of the past. Now, Bollywood chooses to go-full throttle with its patriotism, and there are hardly any greys.